About time - Changes
Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:06 pmBBC
The Premier League has asked players, managers and referees to end the custom of the ball being kicked out of play when a player goes down injured.
Decisions on whether a break in play is necessary for treatment to be received will now be taken by the referee.
"There was a general feeling that this player-led convention had gone too far," Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson told BBC Sport.
But the Football League told BBC Sport it had no plans to make changes.
The custom has gradually established itself in football over the years, but has never been formalised in the rules.
But the feeling that this "gentlemen's agreement" was being taken advantage of has become widespread, with frequent breaks in play at the 2006 World Cup cited as the most high-profile abuse.
Managers and players complained of situations where the ball was kicked out for non-existent injuries in order to stop a team's attacking momentum.
And the arbitrary nature of the convention has led to several flashpoints in recent years.
Last season, Arsenal's crucial Premiership match against Tottenham was marred by scenes of managers Arsene Wenger and Martin Jol squaring up on the sidelines.
Wenger was furious when Spurs did not put the ball out of play after Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto Silva were injured in the build-up to Robbie Keane's goal.
Another example of the misunderstanding the convention can produce is Marc Overmars' goal for Arsenal against Sheffield United in their 1999 FA Cup fifth-round tie.
In that instance, the ball had been kicked out by United to allow their player Lee Morris to receive treatment.
But instead of returning the ball to the Blades on resumption of play, Arsenal striker Kanu released Overmars to score.
The incident led to the match being replayed, with the Football Association agreeing to the Gunners' offer to play the match again.
The Premier League has asked players, managers and referees to end the custom of the ball being kicked out of play when a player goes down injured.
Decisions on whether a break in play is necessary for treatment to be received will now be taken by the referee.
"There was a general feeling that this player-led convention had gone too far," Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson told BBC Sport.
But the Football League told BBC Sport it had no plans to make changes.
The custom has gradually established itself in football over the years, but has never been formalised in the rules.
But the feeling that this "gentlemen's agreement" was being taken advantage of has become widespread, with frequent breaks in play at the 2006 World Cup cited as the most high-profile abuse.
Managers and players complained of situations where the ball was kicked out for non-existent injuries in order to stop a team's attacking momentum.
And the arbitrary nature of the convention has led to several flashpoints in recent years.
Last season, Arsenal's crucial Premiership match against Tottenham was marred by scenes of managers Arsene Wenger and Martin Jol squaring up on the sidelines.
Wenger was furious when Spurs did not put the ball out of play after Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto Silva were injured in the build-up to Robbie Keane's goal.
Another example of the misunderstanding the convention can produce is Marc Overmars' goal for Arsenal against Sheffield United in their 1999 FA Cup fifth-round tie.
In that instance, the ball had been kicked out by United to allow their player Lee Morris to receive treatment.
But instead of returning the ball to the Blades on resumption of play, Arsenal striker Kanu released Overmars to score.
The incident led to the match being replayed, with the Football Association agreeing to the Gunners' offer to play the match again.
when a match stops every 5 mins. So if this does happen then maybe we will enjoy a more free flowing match so chelski will maybe stop rolling over as much. 